Dear Small Business Marketers,

This is a crazy-busy time of year, especially for small businesses. But at some point things will quiet down. And that moment -- just between the heady rush of the holidays and the sprint into the New Year -- is one of my very favorite times. I like to daydream just a little about all the good stuff coming in the year ahead.

Hopefully this newsletter catches you in a similarly peaceful frame of mind. If you're in a baking-shopping-singing-playing frenzy, maybe save it for a little later? But whatever you do, don't delete it. :)

Below you'll find one of our most popular Premium articles in recent months. Following that are two stories packed with practical advice about customer service and SEO.

Then read on to find out what's new in the forum this week. Scan the 10 hottest discussions, learn how to get people to pay for advice, hear what you can do to improve conversion rates, and discover what kung fu fighting has to do with branding.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter. We'll be taking next Friday off. So look for us again in the New Year.

Happy Holidays!

:: Valerie Frazee
:: Know-How News Editor
:: MarketingProfs.com
:: An online community of 223,400 marketers 

Earlier this week KHEr temafrank posed a question we've seen come up again and again in various forms, so we think it's a good one to shine the spotlight on. If you offer a service you believe your customers should want, but you're having a hard time convincing more of them of the value, be sure to read this discussion.

Discussion: Why are People Reluctant to Pay for Advice?

Have something to add? The Asker will be alerted when you reply.

Today's perk for KHN subscribers is our seminar: Boosting E-Commerce Conversion Rates with Persuasion Scenarios. Click to read the description. Then use the link below to replay the seminar before next Friday. (The time limit is just for non-Premium Plus members. Premium Plus members may replay the seminar any time.)

Here's what one attendee told us about this seminar: "You'll leave the seminar eager to re-design your site to meet your prospects' needs - and understand what you need to do to achieve this." Don't miss the chance to replay it. (Normally $99.)

Resource: Boosting E-Commerce Conversion Rates

Or browse 392 resources posted in our Resource Library.

 

Long-time MarketingProfs member, jeff, started an interesting discussion with these words: "What are the most important things a brand needs to know about music?" It's a thoughtful/serious thread, but one comment from W.M.M.A about Britney Spears and another from bigstarnow about kung fu fighting made us smile.

Discussion: Use of Music in Branding

Have something to add? Please do! You could earn points.